Mr. Nader,

As a civic minded youth coming of age in the 70's and 80's, the words "Ralph Nader" conjured in me a feeling of American power as benevolent, progressive and functional. People power wasn't just a catch-phrase--it held real meaning; you proved that! Ralph Nader was a man who became an icon simply by refusing to not do the right thing; a man who showed us all that one person CAN make a difference; a man who stood alone against the very heart of American industry: the auto industry!

You were an American Hero, Mr. Nader. But with each passing presidential campaign you relegate yourself to the dustbin of historical trivia. I had no problem with your campaign in 2000; had I not been such a pragmatist I could have supported you. But, therein lies the problem.

Mr. Nader, voting is not a symbolic act. It is the one act we carry out as citizens that is constitutionally mandated as our direct role in government (not that it is all we should or must do—only that is written into our founding documents). We don't vote to, "send a message"; we vote to put people in office.

You, sir have only ego to show for this third run at the presidency. As someone who made his name through selfless activism for the greater, collective good I find these recurring quadrennial adventures pathetic.

Please, as a progressive American; as a man who agrees with everything you have to say on corporate control and broken systems; as a citizen who mourns the current state of our Union and the crooks who inhabit the Executive Branch (especially); as someone who fully understands the danger this new Supreme Court poses to our Nation; as a voter greatly displeased by the current crop of legislators; please stay home.

The greatest service you can do your country at this moment in history is find a candidate to support and work to shape a new agenda for America alongside a new administration. You, sir will not be the next president. Another bid for the White House by Ralph Nader can only serve as a distraction to real issues that are just beginning, finally, to be taken seriously by majorities of our countrymen; issues that you, in many cases, brought into our collective awareness. Let them play out as they will.

Have you no decency? Please stay home.

Adamantly,

A former admirer,

Whether or not you agree with HS' choice to use the term "cells" (absolutely true, but-yeah-maybe a bit pretentious), the fact is that a cleaner cut DOES result in slower oxidation!

Take a banana, peel completely, and break the top third off with you hands. Now, with a knife slice the bottom third off. While the surface of the cuts may brown at the same rate, the fact is that the torn portion has substantially more surface area oxidizing than does the portion that was sliced.

A dull blade (or even a not-the-sharpest blade) is tearing the material that it's not slicing. More surface area, more oxidation; less surface area, less oxidation. Period.

Oh, and next time you call BS, why don't you try not hiding behind an anonymous post! Thanks.